MARY WHITE OVINGTON PS/IS 30
Mrs. Carol Heeraman, Principal
Mrs. Elizabeth Maley, AP
Mrs. Ama Willock, AP
Where LEARNERS ROAR!
Respect, Opportunity, Acceptance, and Resilience
May 20, 2015
Dear In-coming 6th Grade Student and Family,
We are pleased to welcome you to the PS/IS 30 student body for the 2015 – 2016 school year. The year
will most likely prove to be challenging but rewarding as well. To prepare you for the expectations of the year
ahead and to provide your teacher with an assessment of your skills as you transition from primary to intermediate
school, we have created this summer reading packet.
This year’s summer reading selection is Rules by Cynthia Lord. A recipient of the Newbery Honor
Medal, Rules is the story of Catherine and her autistic brother, David. It is a tale of friendship, what it means to be
“normal,” and the importance of words. Catherine and her brother are vivid and likeable characters, who will stay
with you long after you have finished reading. If you are interested in reading more about autism, the disorder
from which David suffers, you can visit www.autismspeaks.org and check out the “What is Autism?” section.
The novel will also help to introduce the guiding questions for the first unit of study. These questions are:

What are rules to live by?

How do people communicate these “rules?”
In addition to the Rules you are also required to select a book from the Brooklyn Public Library’s middle
school summer reading list, which has been included in this packet. The list includes a selection of fiction and
non-fiction titles, and you may also select one of the titles from the featured series list. Once you have finished
reading, you will complete a book review of your selection. During the first few days of school, book reviews will
be shared as a means of getting to know each other. Make sure that your work represents your best efforts as a
student and helps to give your classmates an introduction to you as well as the book you have chosen.
7002 4th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11209
Phone: (718) 491-8440 Fax: (718) 491-8445
MARY WHITE OVINGTON PS/IS 30
Mrs. Carol Heeraman, Principal
Mrs. Elizabeth Maley, AP
Mrs. Ama Willock, AP
Where LEARNERS ROAR!
Respect, Opportunity, Acceptance, and Resilience
We encourage you to get a copy of Rules and the book of your choice as quickly as possible to begin
reading and completing the required assignments.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Borgia-Moscatello in our school office at
718-491-8440. We look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Sincerely,
The 6th Grade English Teachers
7002 4th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11209
Phone: (718) 491-8440 Fax: (718) 491-8445